Laboratory evaluation of high-frequency vibrations on soil cutting force

Abstract. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of high-frequency vibrations on the cutting force of compacted soil with laboratory experiments. Three soil types (clay, sandy and silt) at two moisture contents (10 and 15% w.b.) were used for the experiments. Standard Proctor compaction test procedure was followed to compact the soil samples for cutting experiments. A 5-cm wide cutting blade mounted on a sliding platform and the compacted soil were cut with and without high frequency vibrations. Blade vibrating at 19.753 kHz reduced the maximum cutting force of all the soil types at both moisture contents. The maximum reductions were observed as 80%, 84% and 87% for silt soil, clay and sandy soil at 15% moisture, respectively. Designing soil engaging tools with vibrating blades can reduce the maximum draft force requirements of these tools significantly.